I just got back from class and noticed small white spots on my fish's fins and tail and it is scratching against the side of the tank and other objects in the tank. After doing some research, I determined that my fish has ick and I am in the process of gradually adding salt to the tank. How long should it take to kill the parasite? I have to take the fish home with me over spring break and I don't want to do anything that will impede its healing. Thanks.
2007-03-05 04:45:16 · 9 answers · asked by Road Apples 6 in Pets ➔ Fish
Salt and heat work the best on ick. Make sure you get a concentration of 3 teaspoons per gallon. 2 weeks in this bath. Heat to 83 degrees and add an airstone will help. After the 4th day you should see marked improvement, but since the ick life cycle is about 2 weeks you need to make sure all is dead before you change back to fresh water. Then after your done lower the temp gradually 2 degrees per day until you reach down to a balmy 77. Ick won't come back if you leave the heater in and a constant temperature, it likes cooler water. I wouldn't keep my GF without a heater, don't beleive anyone that tells you they are ok without it, they got ick didn't they? If you ask professional GF dealers do they keep thier fish heated they will all tell you yes. Its a myth that they perfer 'coldwater.' They do much better with a stable temperature in the mid to high 70's.
2007-03-05 05:17:05 · answer #1 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This can depend on the temperature, the severity of the infestation, and even type of fish (many fish do not respond as well to treatment such as Clown Loaches)
Salt generally needs to be accompanied by a raised temperature of 84-86 F, which can be hard on some fish. A Methylene Blue bath at double tank strength for 30 minutes can help with more serious infections.
Generally the treatment will take about 7-10 days (This will vary Greatly)
If the infection is more serious you need to treat with products such as Quick Cure, ParaGuard or Medicated Wonder Shells (which also aids in electrolytes and calcium)
This brings me to another point; make sure your water parameters are good:
*Ammonia 0
*Nitrites 0
*Nitrates below 50 ppm
*KH & GH between 50 -200 ppm depending on fish
Keep in mind without proper osmotic function that many electrolytes add and poor water quality, all the treatments in the words will fail.
For a lot more up to date information about ich, I recommend reading this article:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Ich.html
2007-03-05 13:02:48 · answer #2 · answered by Carl Strohmeyer 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I love these questions I am great with fishok you need to get some rid ich it will make your tank blue so dont panic first while your treating take out the carbon filiter because it pulls out the medication out of the water kthen use it daily for 5-7 days till gone sometimes i treat for a few extra days just to be on the safe side so hes whati do i put it in every 24 hours and do a 25%water k then it should clear right up change
2007-03-05 19:00:52 · answer #3 · answered by davanna m 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the temperature of the water, but give it a good two weeks. Ich is a parasite and can't be killed while it is burrowed in the fish, so you need to give it time. At 80F, the ich lifecycle takes about 4-5 days, so to be safe, give it to two weeks to make sure you get all the ich.
To help him heal, keep the water very clean with frequent water changes (don't forget to add salt when you replace the water).
Oh, and you're on the right track using salt and not an ich medication. Ich meds are really harsh, they wreak havock on your biological system and may well end up killing your fish. Salt is just as effective for killing ich, but it won't hurt your fish or your bacteria, and it won't dye everything in your tank blue.
2007-03-05 12:50:52 · answer #4 · answered by Zoe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It took my tank at least 4 days!! I used the Ick treatment t you can get at any pet store!! That will help alot! But you need to treat them fast! That ick stuff can kill all your fish in 1 or 2 days! But if you have loaches it will take longer! Because the Ick treatment is hard on them and you can only use half the treatment it would take for other fish.............. Well just read in instructions! if you end up going with the treatment! i suggest it though!!! Good Luck
2007-03-05 12:56:35 · answer #5 · answered by Roni Lynn 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should go to your LFS (Local Fish Store) and by the medication for ick, not that expensive..You also want to quarantine the fish & treat outside of the tank because ick falls off & can live undetected without a host for 30 days....
I always treat ick for 10 days & you should be good to go!
Good Luck! =)
2007-03-05 12:52:07 · answer #6 · answered by Heather 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try a special liquid that you can buy at a pet store.sometimes the lable shows a picture and gives information to get rid of ick.make sure you give itaround 2 drops or as many os the bottle says and do it every 3 or 6 hours (read bottle for this information) your fish should then have no more ick.
2007-03-05 12:54:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
you should go to a petstore and buy the medicine for ick. Do not put a lot of it in your tank or your fish will die.
2007-03-05 14:06:29 · answer #8 · answered by aajk 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
10 days, and keep doing it for 3 more days after you no longer see signs of infection.
2007-03-05 12:59:33 · answer #9 · answered by blackbimmer1972 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋